Matt Risinger visits the Durability Lab at the University of Texas to observe its ongoing tests of joint seam and flashing tapes. Shear load performance and durability under prolonged exposure are both being measured. As a general rule, some of the new acrylic tapes seem to be holding up better than the older modified asphalt types, Still, university researcher Anthony Garcia stresses that no tape performs the same on every substrate. Builders need to respond to different jobsite conditions and requirements, choose compatible products, and sometimes be flexible with installation techniques.

For more information, see "Testing Flashing Tape" on Matt's blog.